Carl “Skipper” Storck passed away on August 1st 2024. Carl “Skipper” Storck was preceded in death by his parents Peggy (Odders) and Carl Storck Sr. Also, his sister Joanie and brother-in-law Mel Zemke.
Carl’s family extends way beyond that that. Back when neighborhoods knew everyone living within it, Carl was known and loved by so many. He could tell you the birthdays of every person in my family. I am certain it was the same for all the other families. He was very smart. I used to say he was dumb like a fox. He liked to have things done on his own terms. Carl also enjoyed his church family at Holy Communion. There are too many to mention. I wouldn’t know where to begin. Carl enjoyed going to Lutherdale Bible Camp in the summer. Every time I picked him up from camp, he would tell me about a new girlfriend he had. Sometimes two. Carl also had many friends and co-workers through various jobs he held. Just to name a few, Goodwill, RCOC, Ridgewood and most recently Lake-Side Curative Services.
Then there is the family Carl spent the majority of his time with, Visions of Life Group Home owned by Shalanda Bedford. She provided Carl with a place he could truly call home. It has been his sanctuary. Although it was obvious the entire staff loved Carl, his best friend was April Nabors. She is a gift that just kept giving day after day. Thank you, April, for everything you and Carl meant to each other. When I first brought Carl to Visions of Life, I called him Skip. Shalanda said, “I thought his name was Carl?” I said it is, but he is known to everyone he grew up with as Skipper. So, she asked Carl “Can I call you Skipper?” and with a straight face he said NO, only my friends get to call me Skip. We had a good laugh over that one. I know that everyone who knows Skip has stories of their own.
Carl was also involved in Special Olympics, bowling, dance parties, and going on outings with his family from the group home. Whether it was trips to Goodwill, the dollar store, or the mall, Carl enjoyed being around people. He also liked to write letters to just about anybody. All he needed was an address and of course stamps. He could burn through a book real fast. He always loved to receive mail too. Especially birthday cards and Christmas cards. His aunt and uncle, Judy and Bruce Cravens never missed a year. They always included a little extra spending money. He enjoyed art supplies, and he had to have his own newspaper. He would call me up to tell me we just lost another one of our old neighbors or someone from church. He was always thinking about people he knew. Especially his mother Peggy and his sister Joanie. Another love of Carl’s was Diet Mountain Dew. There was never enough!
Well, Carl has gone home to his family. Carl is at peace. I know I am not alone when I say Carl was loved by so many. He will be missed but never forgotten. If you have a favorite story about the time you spent with Carl, please take the time to share it. Carl will be watching and laughing with us.
Services for Carl will be held at 10 oclock on Wednesday, August 7th at Holy Communion Lutheran Church (2000 W. 6th St, Racine Wisconsin). Visitation will be held from 9 oclock until the time of service.
